Song Yao brought Yang Jing upstairs, and of course, Wang Qiqi, the inevitable tag-along, followed. Song Yao gestured toward the sofa. “Don’t stand on ceremony, sit down. Though I must admit, the air isn’t the freshest.” With the heater on, there was bound to be a certain smell, but there was no alternative.

Yang Jing glanced at Song Yao. Truthfully, there wasn't much of a smell, just a slightly stale air quality, which was understandable given the need to keep the room sealed for warmth. “It’s fine. Much warmer than my office.”

Wang Qiqi scanned the room as soon as she got upstairs. “Sister, why don’t you put a bowl of water in the room? Otherwise, it gets too dry.” She added, “Actually, if you put a humidifier in a room with the A/C running, it’s less irritating to the skin. But I doubt you have one of those things now.” Of course, Wang Qiqi didn't go searching for one; whether in the capital or back home, she always just placed a basin of water out. Song Yao shot Wang Qiqi a look, setting Tao Tao, who was already rubbing his eyes, down on the small **. “Hmph, you’re the most troublesome one.” Although Song Yao grumbled, she obediently went to the adjacent bathroom to fetch some water. “Yang Jing, don't be polite. Eat whatever looks good to you.”

As for Wang Rui, she had long since stopped being reserved. She was perched on the sofa, happily munching on pistachios, pine nuts, and Dove chocolates. “Right, Qiqi, are you hosting guests for the New Year this time? I remember your family always used to host a dinner on New Year’s Eve.” Wang Rui asked, feigning casualness. Last year, her own family hadn't attended, and Wang Qiqi certainly hadn't invited them.

Wang Qiqi gave Wang Rui a sidelong glance, offering no reply. They would indeed host a New Year’s Eve dinner, but it would be at the usual time: noon on New Year's Eve. This time, however, Luo Hongjuan would be attending—partly because Wang Qiqi and Han Tao’s relationship was now somewhat public, and partly because Luo Hongjuan was lonely staying home by herself.

Song Yao glared at Wang Rui. ‘Just eat what’s in front of you, why worry about others? Besides, don't you know Qiqi’s relationship with your family?’ Earlier, when Wang Qiqi saw Wang Dagui downstairs, she had completely ignored him, passing by without a greeting. Every time Wang Dagui tried to approach and mend fences, Wang Qiqi would fix him with a look that seemed to freeze him in place, then simply shift away. After three such dismissals, Wang Dagui couldn't fail to notice; no matter how frustrated he felt, appearances were paramount. Wang Qiqi needed nothing from Wang Dagui, whereas Wang Dagui relied on Wang Qiqi. Their mindsets dictated their actions.

Wang Rui took Song Yao’s words as a rebuke and kept rolling her eyes toward Song Yao. But how could Wang Rui stay quiet? For both Wang Rui and Wang Dagui, Wang Qiqi was their pillar of support. They were hoping to smooth things over with her so they could talk to her about letting them manage the properties left behind in their hometown. While they wouldn't take everything, skimming some benefits—like arranging for dual lease contracts—was an absolute certainty.

After calming herself slightly, Wang Rui flashed a bright smile. “Sister Qiqi, after all, we are sisters. I know I was wrong before, so I’ve changed now…” Wang Rui spoke a mix of truth and falsehood.

Wang Qiqi was speechless at the sheer audacity of the thick-skinned girl. “Whether you were right or wrong has little to do with me. Didn't you have a crush on Han Tao not long ago? Out of respect for the fact that we used to be relatives, let me give you one piece of advice: don’t covet a man who isn’t yours. Do you think Han Tao is like Gao Kai? And since you’re focusing on your studies now, concentrate on your exams. Stop trying to leverage old family ties. Your family and I haven't been related for a hundred years.” With that, Wang Qiqi stood up and went to sit beside Song Yao.

“Oh, right, Sister. The other day when I was out with Manman, I saw a really nice piece of clothing that would suit my brother-in-law perfectly. Why don't the three of us go shopping together sometime?” Wang Qiqi deftly changed the subject. “How is Sister-in-law doing?”

Yang Jing had initially thought this girl, Wang Qiqi, seemed easygoing, seeing her constant gentle smiles. But then she realized Wang Qiqi could deliver such stern words with an amiable facade. And it seemed Wang Rui had tried to steal a boyfriend before. Now that Wang Qiqi had a partner, she was trying again? This was blatant sabotage, aimed at severing a relationship, and twice at that! This realization further soured Yang Jing’s impression of Wang Rui; she judged the girl to have poor character. Although Wang Qiqi was a bit forceful, she was certainly easier to look at than Wang Rui.

Yang Jing also knew Wang Qiqi held significant sway in the eyes of the Song siblings. Song Ziwen often said that without Wang Qiqi, Song Yao’s marriage prospects wouldn't have been so smooth, nor would they have the house and car they had today. Given this, fostering a good relationship was the only sensible path. “That sounds nice, but I prefer women’s wear over menswear.”

Song Yao glanced at Yang Jing and shook her head, a look of disapproval on her face. “You’re not interested in menswear now, but you will be later. When I go out now, I look at menswear and children’s clothes…” Song Yao pulled Yang Jing along, launching into her shopping philosophies. To Wang Qiqi, it seemed Song Yao intended to subtly prompt Yang Jing into helping Song Ziwen buy clothes later, thus lifting that burden from herself. But, Sister, Wang Qiqi thought, you started talking about women’s wear after mentioning menswear and children’s wear, and you’re chatting so animatedly with Yang Jing! Wang Qiqi could only slap her forehead. Sigh, this sister of mine. You want to encourage Yang Jing to take over buying clothes for Song Ziwen to relieve your own burden, but could you at least try to keep the conversation somewhat coherent? Why steer it so far off course?

When Song Ziwen came upstairs, he saw Wang Qiqi repeatedly tapping her forehead. He assumed someone had upset her and looked at the other three people present. He figured if it wasn't Wang Xin, it had to be Wang Rui. He was about to scold Wang Rui when Wang Qiqi interjected. “Brother, you’re up. Can we eat soon?” Wang Qiqi rubbed her slightly hungry stomach. Ah, ever since returning home, she’d grown accustomed to having dessert in the afternoons, but Wang Damei’s house didn't have that habit. It was a wonder she wasn't hungry! Song Ziwen looked at Wang Qiqi’s unfeigned gesture of rubbing her belly, reached out, and ruffled her hair—earning him several glares in return. “We can eat in a bit. Oh, Qiqi, have you bought your New Year’s provisions yet?” Song Ziwen suddenly remembered that Han Tao wasn’t in the country, making his cousin’s New Year shopping a big issue. Even if it was just the two of them celebrating, based on what he knew of Wang Qiqi, she would fill her home to the brim, especially with snacks.

Hearing these words from her caring older brother, Wang Qiqi felt like spitting blood. “Brother, today is the minor New Year Eve! If we don’t buy things now, I’ll have to hit the market tomorrow?” While markets would operate on the morning of New Year’s Eve, most of the good items would be sold out, leaving only the subpar stock. Wang Qiqi certainly wouldn't settle for that.

Song Ziwen could only pinch the bridge of his nose. He had only just remembered himself, but could he say that to Wang Qiqi’s face? That would be asking for trouble. Truthfully, the family’s festive groceries were usually procured by his idle older sister driving around. As the new son-in-law, Song Ziwen had gone to his in-laws’ house to make a good impression, driving his brother-in-law’s car to take his future mother-in-law shopping. This had drawn a host of acid comments from home, but Song Ziwen had simply taken it as praise. However, after hearing Wang Qiqi’s words, he suddenly felt a pang of guilt. “Well, well, well, wasn’t I busy?”

“Busy?” Song Yao and Wang Qiqi exchanged a look, drawing out the syllables. Though they said nothing more, everything was understood between them.

Yang Jing felt somewhat uneasy and restless. She knew Song Ziwen wasn’t overly busy at work, but before the New Year, he frequently drove to her family’s place, taking her mother out to shop for provisions. This had led the older couple to praise the son-in-law endlessly, saying he was a devoted man. However, Song Ziwen had been so focused on his in-laws that he had neglected the Song family to some extent. Yang Jing truly didn't know whether to defend him or not.

Just as Yang Jing was caught in this dilemma, Gong Peixing called from downstairs, “Dinner is ready!”

Hearing his brother-in-law’s announcement, Song Ziwen immediately leaped off the sofa. He quickly pulled Yang Jing downstairs, genuinely worried that if they sat any longer, the looks from Song Yao and Wang Qiqi would melt him.

Song Yao looked at the still-sleeping Tao Tao, then considered that the downstairs area would likely be swirling with cigarette smoke today. “Qiqi, you go down first. I won’t come down,” she said. “The air quality is bad; I’ll skip it. Just have your brother-in-law bring me some food later. And tell him to drink less and smoke less.” However, with Wang Dagui present, she suspected that request would be futile. Ugh, such an irritating person. Wang Qiqi said, “Okay.” Perhaps Song Yao was still mindful of Wang Dagui’s status. After all, with Yang Jing present, Wang Damei must have explicitly instructed the three Song family members to show Wang Dagui due respect, lest Yang Jing think the Song family lacked manners. But Wang Qiqi didn't care. Firstly, she didn't need to pander to Wang Damei’s moods, and secondly, Wang Qiqi could turn hostile whenever she pleased. As Wang Qiqi arrived downstairs, she overheard Wang Dagui telling Gong Peixing, “Little Gong, you’re the first grandson-in-law of our Wang family. Make sure you drink plenty with your uncle!” Wang Dagui had noticed the Moutai on the table earlier, which excited the liquor-loving man. But he was too embarrassed to try and finish a whole bottle himself, knowing his elder sister would nag him later. That’s why he dragged Gong Peixing into it.

Wang Qiqi walked over and sat down next to Gong Peixing, clearing her throat slightly. “Brother-in-law, my sister said she’s staying upstairs to look after Tao Tao and won't come down. Please bring her some food later, and please drink less and smoke less—Tao Tao dislikes it.”

Gong Peixing was already dissatisfied with Wang Dagui’s attempt to coerce drinking, but his mother-in-law had instructed him earlier that no matter his feelings toward Wang Dagui, he had to show a measure of respect for an elder today, for Yang Jing’s sake. Otherwise, Gong Peixing would have ignored him long ago. Hearing Wang Qiqi’s words now, he offered a strained smile. “Uncle, drink that liquor slowly. If you can’t finish it, you can take the rest home.”

Wang Dagui had initially wanted to exert some elder authority, but he didn’t dare. When he heard Gong Peixing suggest taking the liquor home, he stopped arguing. Such fine liquor could be savored slowly at home. But then he thought about visiting his elder sister in a few days for the New Year greetings—could he secure some more Moutai then? He had noticed several cases of Moutai where the brother-in-law kept the liquor. Rumor had it Gong Peixing had gifted it all. Wang Dagui wondered if his own future son-in-law would be so filial. He didn’t ask for much: perhaps two cases of Moutai and two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes for the major festivals, with extra deference during regular visits being a bonus. The more Wang Dagui thought about it, the happier he became, and the more grotesque his expression grew. Wang Damei and the others could only cover their faces. After all, Song Ziwen’s girlfriend was present today! And yet, they were scolded for not showing elders enough respect, while Wang Dagui himself was behaving in a manner utterly unworthy of respect. (To be continued.)